Widow to Widow: Thoughtful, Practical Ideas for Rebuilding Your Life

by Genevieve Davis Ginsburg

From a widow and therapist, a guide to life after losing a husband, with reflections on grief and practical advice

In this remarkably useful guide, widow, author, and therapist Genevieve Davis Ginsburg offers fellow widows -- as well as their family and friends -- sage advice for coping with the loss of a husband. From learning to travel and eat alone to creating new routines to surviving the holidays and anniversaries that reopen emotional wounds, Ginsburg give guidance



Widow to Widow walks readers through the challenges of widowhood and encourages them on their path to building a new life.

Genres: Grief, Nonfiction, Self Help, Death

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 1997

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be incredibly helpful, when I started reading it about a month after my husband passed away. However, I was twenty-one at the time; and I was just trying to grasp the situation I had found myself in. I was lost, confused and felt utterly helpless as I tried to make sense of everything.

While this book addresses issues that most individuals may already know how to deal with (as even I had), I found each chapter to be an affirmation of who I was at that point in my life; and I found it to be the tool that I needed the most to help me address my own situation proactively. This book was the equivalent of having a widow to talk to at all times, for me.

I'll admit, too, that each chapter of my book has multiple pages covered in highlighter, because I wanted to be able to go back and reference certain points when I felt the need.

This book overall, was a great inspiration to me, and I don't think that I would be quite where I am in life, today, if I didn't have it then, when I needed it the most.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shallow. The tips are very simplistic, though I suppose they are the "practical" tips the title claims. I'm not the sort of widow this book is geared toward. I was already the major decision maker and money earner. This seems slightly condescending, though other than being a widow I'm not in the target audience. I think (I hope) this particular book will be of less and less use as the years pass and women become more and more independent.

[Kim Benouski · Rating 3 out of 5]

My friend gave me this, and there were some very true things in there. I did find, however, that there was very little in the book for widows in my situation: 40 with two kids at home. Lots was about the empty home and quiet, which I don't have, or gave advice that seemed unrealistic (and unfathomable to me) such as writing thank yous even for each note you get (I got hundreds) and emptying closets right away. Still, there was enough good in it without any religion which I liked. I'm getting sick of being told how it was God's will or that he's in a better place, and this has only served to isolate my kids from God as they now think he chose their dad and took him away. T his book had none of that.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone going through this phase of life and loss. Good gift for such a person when there are no other words to say.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After my husband died, people handed me all sorts of books on grief, and although good, this was one that was truly helpful to me. Yes, it touches on grieving, but it's more practical, and helps with the day to day necessities of functioning, and knowing you're not going crazy! .

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more from this book than I actually got. It has a lot of good information but it just seems really dated, as though it was written in the 1950s. There are parts that made me feel like the writer assumed that I'd never had a job or been single before. In some cases the advice was helpful but mostly it was information that I had read before or already knew about. The beginning was interesting where it talked about feelings and thoughts and I wish it would have elaborated on this more rather than on the obvious.
All in all it was an okay book but I would like to see it updated for those of us who lost their husbands in the 21st century. I think the book would be very, very different.

[Candace M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be perfect for me as I am a practical person and the author gave me good practical advice I could put into use right away. I read another "widow" book and it was just full of sad stories of other widows. I didn't need that. I am sad enough. I needed advice on how to rebuild my life, and that is what this book gave me. I can totally relate to much in the book like walking into a empty house as I lost my beloved in my 60's so my children are grown and out of the house, but there are many things young widows with children should be able to relate as well. Appliances breaking down and learning to ask for help, along with advice on a myriad of other problems that arise through a new life without my man made me feel normal instead of crazy. Thank you, Ms. Ginsburg for the chapter on "Where did I put my mind." After reading the whole book, I am re-reading Part 2 and 3 every so often to remind me of the author's suggestions on rebuilding my life. This book was my best friend as I navigated the first year and a half of widowhood. I recommend it all the time to new widows. I thought it was a life saver for me.

[MaryLee Robinson, Author, The Widow or Widower Next Door · Rating 5 out of 5]

Widowed two years when I read this, I found Ms. Ginsburg's suggestions very helpful. I also found that she covered territory that none of the other books on bereavement I read had touched on. Very worthwhile.

[Lise Andreana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful tool for my recently widowed clients. Makes a thoughtful
Gift for the recent widow in your life.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative. I wish that I had found it sooner.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me months to read this book but it was very helpful.

[Walter Anurt]

*Widow to Widow* is a compassionate, practical guide written by Genevieve Davis Ginsburg, a widow and therapist, for women rebuilding their lives after losing a husband. First published in 1997, it blends emotional insight with actionable advice, drawing from Ginsburg’s own experience and her work with others. The book isn’t a memoir but a roadmap, addressing the raw grief, logistical challenges, and identity shifts that come with widowhood.

Ginsburg covers the emotional terrain—shock, loneliness, guilt—with a warm, understanding tone, validating the messy reality of mourning. She doesn’t shy away from the practical either: managing finances, eating alone, or facing holidays that sting. Chapters like “The First Weeks” and “Reweaving the Social Fabric” offer steps to cope, from handling paperwork to finding new routines. Her advice is down-to-earth—e.g., keeping a journal or joining a support group—without feeling preachy. She also nods to widowers, though the focus stays on women, reflecting her audience.

What stands out is its balance. It’s neither overly clinical nor dripping with sentiment; it’s a friend who’s been there. Readers often praise its relatability—many say it felt like Ginsburg “got” them, especially in moments of despair or small victories like traveling solo. The humor sprinkled in lightens the load, making it a book you can revisit. That said, some critique the financial tips as dated (it’s pre-digital banking era), and UK readers note minor US-centric quirks (e.g., legal references). Still, the core holds up.

It’s not a thriller or a tearjerker—it’s a lifeline. I’d rate it 8/10 for its niche: widows seeking guidance. If you’re grieving early on, it’s a gem; if you’re years past, it might feel basic. Have you read it, or are you exploring it for someone specific? I can tweak this if you had another angle in mind!

[Pamela Jahnke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently bought this book for a family member who is 40 and has tragically lost her husband. While there are many valuable insights in the book, there are also a few aspects that potential readers should consider.

**Pros:**
- The book explores the emotional journey of transitioning from being part of a couple to being a single adult.
- It offers practical advice on sensitive topics such as when and how to remove a deceased partner’s belongings, coping with anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays, and what not to say to a widow. It also provides guidance on how family members can effectively support someone who is grieving.

**Cons:**
- The writing style feels outdated, reminiscent of a 75-year-old woman from the 1980s. The book includes references to checkbook registers, phone books, personal ads, and other antiquated concepts that don't resonate with today’s readers. Although it presents some progressive ideas for its time, certain sections can feel condescending to modern women. For instance, there’s a part that suggests taking a class to learn assertiveness so that professionals will take women seriously. Additionally, it seems to assume most readers are older homemakers who now need to fill their time after the loss of their husbands, which may not reflect the reality for many contemporary women.

Overall, the book is still worth reading. I found the emotional insights and much of the practical advice to be incredibly helpful.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

In 1995, were still so many women reliant and dependent upon men? Throughout this book I kept thinking, "not me, no way, oh my..." I never stopped to realize this before, but I had a life before I was married and continued to expand my life while I was married. Sure, there is some "rebuilding" now that my husband is gone, but its not like my life was destroyed. I am greatly saddened, but not unable to function on my own as it appears this book is written toward. This book reminded me, this is now who I am. I am a widow. As a gift, I read the book, but personally found little use for its content.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was written in the 1990s, and aimed towards women who were in their 50s and 60s during that time frame. In that context and for that audience, it was probably helpful, but it is based so much on old-fashioned gender roles (if you're a woman clearly you never dealt with finances and defined yourself as being a wife/homemaker!) that it has lesser relevance for widows today, particularly young widows like myself.

[Faith P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me many years ago when I was on a military family care team, but just read it for the first time. There is a lot of good information, all geared towards widows, but much of it is good advice for everyone. The chapter on job hunting is quite outdated, though. Perhaps there is a newer publication where that has been updated. A good, solid read about a subject no one wants to think about.

[Oatgoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a club nobody asks to join and only other members really understand how your life is torn apart. The author understands and wrote this helpful guide. It provides encouragement, answers to questions, and strategies for putting yourself and your life back together.

Some of the material is outdated, but the majority is relevant.

[Theresa Vonada]

So helpful to read what others go through. You will never be prepared for this day whether you spend a year caregiving or lose someone suddenly. Every one with experience grief one day. This book helped me recognize I was not crazy and the folks around you do not speak your same language any longer.

[Beatrice M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in spurts. Mainly when I needed something to help me think things through, took a lot of notes and learned a lot also. Well written. Jumped around didn't read straight through. Recommend to give to someone who is I need

[Alexandria Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a practical guide for a newly widowed woman. I practice elder and probate law. I discovered the book after one of my clients recommended it. It discusses many of the adjustments that a company the death of a spouse. After reading it, I began giving it to all the widows in my practice.

[Cheryl Downs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful guide to the first few months of my new normal. It let me know that the feelings and all the tearful days were normal. I recommend this book to everyone who is new to this new journey.

[Koko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some helpful tidbits. Some not so much. But I really appreciate the effort the author put into differentiating between young and older widows. There are definitely some differences between the experiences and life stages of someone who is widowed young vs older.

[MARGIE KRUEGER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

The advice and info is a bit dated but overall, a helpful book.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It is a bit outdated- since it was written before mobile phones, and computers. so some of the helps she gives are old. But overall it is a good book.

[Betsy Harper Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful!!! This book helped me realize I wasn't going crazy. Must read if you have become a widow or widower.

[Nancy Kirkland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtfully written, nice to share voices in the transition.

[Louise Laba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking. You only can understand a widow or widowers pain if you been there.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful for the person looking for answers. This book won't answer all of them, but it is a good start towards widows looking for transition to their new lives.